ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
October 28, 2022
I find myself writing Etchings very similar to previous Etchings. Quite often, I have written on a specific topic only to see the same situation arise again and again. Please understand that I am not suggesting my Etchings should make any dramatic change in the world, but there is that deep-seated hope within me that sort of wants to believe that we can do better. Antisemitism has been on the rise for a number of years now. Throughout history, the Jewish people have often found themselves misunderstood, feared and scapegoated. For instance, during the plague of the 14th century that killed somewhere between 40-65% of the population of Europe, people desperately looked for an explanation. Without an understanding of disease, people pointed to the Jews as the cause. Rumors spread, specifically accusing the Jews of poisoning the water wells in different communities. The first massacre of Jews occurred in the spring of 1348, but other massacres would follow. Though Rome’s policy was to tolerate the Jews, fear has a troubling capacity of ignoring reason and rules. People made up all kinds of nonsense, and others believed it and acted upon it. You’d think nearly 700 years would provide humanity enough time to gain some perspective and notice the shameful ways people used stereotypes to create a narrative by which permission for violence was given. Yet here we are in 2022, and though the communication tools are a bit more sophisticated, the allegations and shameful falsehoods are basically the same. We’ve got to do better, and one of the simplest ways is to fact check those stories we share on social media. You might be surprised at how many of them, in subtle ways, reinforce hateful stereotypes, provide permission to mistrust, and make baseless accusations. We’ve got to do better. Lives are depending on it.
God whose holy and grace-filled vision was put forth in Jesus, we come before you hoping to share, in whatever small ways we can, the fulfillment of that vision. However, by promoting even what may appear to be a humorous stereotype, we are actually delaying the consummation of that very mission. Amen.
